Mexican Restaurant: Educate me on calories please!!

BootCampCrazy
BootCampCrazy Posts: 53 Member
in Food and Nutrition
It's girls night out tonight and we're meeting at a mexican restaurant/bar. I LOVE LOVE LOVE mexican food, my absolute favorite, but I need help on making better choices! I can't find the restaurants nutitional info online, so I guess I just need estimates and ideas of something on a typical menu that's a better choice than my taco, enchilado, chile relleno, rice and bean combo that could feed three people. I've eaten really light and worked out today, so I have quite a few calories remaining, but throw drinks into the mix and they'll be gone in no time,

Also, When you go out, do you worry about calories or are you more focused on portion control?
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Replies

  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    Soup is nice you just have to watch the sodium. Salads work too even with the taco shell. Ala carte tacos are nice too. Watch snacking on those "free" things, the chips and salsa, beans, whatever they give you before the meal. I find eating out is more about portion control than anything. Meals at those restaurants can be huge so that is why I don't order them.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Sometimes, I think the best thing you can do is just have an "aw, screw it" night and get what you'll enjoy. As long as you're eating in your goal range for all your other meals, one big meal isn't going to undo it.

    Say, for instance, you're typically eating at 500 calories below maintenance to lose one pound a week. Now say that the meal and drinks you absolutely love will put you 1000 calories over your daily goal. So instead of having a 3500 calorie weekly deficit, you'll end up with a 2500 calorie deficit for the week. Instead of losing one pound that week, you may lose 0.7 pounds. You're still losing.... you're just losing about 5 ounces less than you would have if you stayed under your calorie goal.

    Personally? A fun night out with the girls (which probably doesn't happen all that often) is well worth five ounces to me.
  • soygurl
    soygurl Posts: 44 Member
    Chicken or veggie fajitas with corn tortillas are usually a great choice. Either no rice and beans on the side, or ask for whole beans (instead of refried), and no cheese. Either skip the free chips and salsa, or take one small handful, and then stop. It's REALLY easy to get distracted by chatting, and eat a ton of chips while waiting for food!

    Also, if you're having margaritas, the regular ones are usually a better choice that other flavors.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    Anything cooked in foil or mentions tequila is negative calories.
  • usernamejoe
    usernamejoe Posts: 219 Member
    Grilled Chicken and veggies, no more than 10 chips, no queso, 1 taco at the most if I don't eat just grilled chicken. Water the whole time and maybe a margarita...

    this is my rule book when going to mexican rest.
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    Sometimes, I think the best thing you can do is just have an "aw, screw it" night and get what you'll enjoy. As long as you're eating in your goal range for all your other meals, one big meal isn't going to undo it.

    Say, for instance, you're typically eating at 500 calories below maintenance to lose one pound a week. Now say that the meal and drinks you absolutely love will put you 1000 calories over your daily goal. So instead of having a 3500 calorie weekly deficit, you'll end up with a 2500 calorie deficit for the week. Instead of losing one pound that week, you may lose 0.7 pounds. You're still losing.... you're just losing about 5 ounces less than you would have if you stayed under your calorie goal.

    Personally? A fun night out with the girls (which probably doesn't happen all that often) is well worth five ounces to me.

    Same here.
  • lilchino4af
    lilchino4af Posts: 1,292 Member
    Chicken or veggie fajitas with corn tortillas are usually a great choice. Either no rice and beans on the side, or ask for whole beans (instead of refried), and no cheese. Either skip the free chips and salsa, or take one small handful, and then stop. It's REALLY easy to get distracted by chatting, and eat a ton of chips while waiting for food!
    This^^^ Also, they come with tortillas, so to save calories, don't eat the torts; just the meat and veggies. Probably the healthiest, lowest cal food you can find in a Mexican restaurant.

    As far as the chips, I'd say STAY AWAY!!!!!!! Because once you start, it's hard to stop :laugh: But seriously, if chips/salsa are a weakness for you, I wouldn't even have one.

    Enjoy!
  • bserwack
    bserwack Posts: 51 Member
    Split something with one of your friends!

    Blended margaritas have more calories than on the rocks.

    Use a lot of salsa instead of sour cream.

    Here's a good slideshow from "Eat This, Not That!" :http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/10-ways-eat-healthy-mexican-cantina
  • BigBrewski
    BigBrewski Posts: 922 Member
    Anything cooked in foil or mentions tequila is negative calories.

    It has been my experience that too much tequila will negate your whole meal although I DON'T recommened IT
  • cmeade20
    cmeade20 Posts: 1,238 Member
    Sometimes, I think the best thing you can do is just have an "aw, screw it" night and get what you'll enjoy. As long as you're eating in your goal range for all your other meals, one big meal isn't going to undo it.

    Say, for instance, you're typically eating at 500 calories below maintenance to lose one pound a week. Now say that the meal and drinks you absolutely love will put you 1000 calories over your daily goal. So instead of having a 3500 calorie weekly deficit, you'll end up with a 2500 calorie deficit for the week. Instead of losing one pound that week, you may lose 0.7 pounds. You're still losing.... you're just losing about 5 ounces less than you would have if you stayed under your calorie goal.

    Personally? A fun night out with the girls (which probably doesn't happen all that often) is well worth five ounces to me.


    This. I dont go out to eat very often. I just enjoy myself when I do.
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    Anything cooked in foil or mentions tequila is negative calories.

    This is 100% fact.
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/642457--healthy-options-at-a-mexican-restaurant?hl=mexican#posts-9344308

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/621333-going-out-for-mexican-healthy-options?hl=mexican
  • wiglett
    wiglett Posts: 53
    pescado ceviche con tostadas
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,514 Member
    Share or take half home. Check out similar restaurant meals that have nutritional posted -- that should give you an idea of how different choices compare.
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    Usually if I go out with friends, we will order one of those platters then split it. Normally a platter is about 2000 calories, but split between four gals is reasonable.
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    Anything cooked in foil or mentions tequila is negative calories.

    This is 100% fact.

    Double negative if bacon is involved
  • OMG_Twinkies
    OMG_Twinkies Posts: 215 Member
    I order from the a la carte menu instead of getting a meal. Usually shrimp fajitas with extra peppers and I always plan for it. I'm going out tonight and planned for this all week by being extra careful with my calories and hitting the gym. Well deserved and I cannot wait!! Mexican food is such a weakness of mine, but preparation helps A LOT with negating the guilt that used to follow.
  • T_X_L
    T_X_L Posts: 140 Member
    Eat what you'd like (within reason), and get back on the wagon tomorrow. Me and the missus do a date night every weekend, where we usually go over our carbs with rice from sushi. We get back on track the next meal, and don't regret a minute. We may skip the date night if we have another special occasion that weekend.

    I actually believe doing this 10% of the time throws your body off, in a good way. Keeps if from being optimally calorie efficient. We've lost ~55 lbs between the two of us. Oh, and we do metabolic resistance training 3-4 days/week.
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
    As much as I love Mexican food, I avoid it for this very reason unless I have no intentions of counting any calories that night!
  • Hernandeak11
    Hernandeak11 Posts: 351 Member
    Carne asada tacos with corn tortillas! mmm!
  • BlondeQtTexas
    BlondeQtTexas Posts: 97 Member
    I'm not trying to advise you to break your diet, but I had Mexican food almost once a week and still managed to lose 32 lbs in 3 months.

    I think one cheat day a week is fine. My usual Mexican meal is 1 chile relleno, 1 bean tostada and one beef burrito with lots of green chile.
  • sewedo1
    sewedo1 Posts: 200 Member
    I often order vegetarian fajitas and don't eat the shells. If served with rice and beans, I'll eat just a bite or two of each.
  • shelbyfrootcake
    shelbyfrootcake Posts: 965 Member
    Sometimes, I think the best thing you can do is just have an "aw, screw it" night and get what you'll enjoy. As long as you're eating in your goal range for all your other meals, one big meal isn't going to undo it.

    Say, for instance, you're typically eating at 500 calories below maintenance to lose one pound a week. Now say that the meal and drinks you absolutely love will put you 1000 calories over your daily goal. So instead of having a 3500 calorie weekly deficit, you'll end up with a 2500 calorie deficit for the week. Instead of losing one pound that week, you may lose 0.7 pounds. You're still losing.... you're just losing about 5 ounces less than you would have if you stayed under your calorie goal.

    Personally? A fun night out with the girls (which probably doesn't happen all that often) is well worth five ounces to me.

    Same here.

    Amen
  • Eve23
    Eve23 Posts: 2,352 Member
    Love mexican food as well we eat it alot. You have planned for it so I wouldn't be to strict with yourself, enjoy yourself. Be a little leary of the cream sauces, you can ask for sour cream on the side if you like, or ask for avocado instead of cheese or less cheese. Fajitas are a great choice. Taco are great too but easy enough to make at home. In my opinion if you are going out you want something you don't always get. Try a pork carnitas or something similiar. Oh my so so good.

    Hope you have a great evening!!!
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    When i go out for mexican food (and i'm behaving) I order things off the a la carte menu. Rice and beans alone can add up to 800 cals. Also REALLY watch your chip intake....what i do is count out 15 big chips and only eat those, but break them into smaller pieces so i feel like im eating more.

    I will usually get a chili relleno and a grilled chicken soft taco or a fish taco. You can opt for a fajita dish, or the restaraunt i go to has a shrimp, chicken and carne asada salad that i use the salsa as salad dressing.
  • HollywoodDJ
    HollywoodDJ Posts: 296
    Anything cooked in foil or mentions tequila is negative calories.

    HAHAHAHAHAHA.....I think I love you~ LOL!
  • stuntpilot51
    stuntpilot51 Posts: 53 Member
    I will be eating Mexican tonight in about an hour, I really don't care what I eat but it will most likely be Carne Asada with a side of mexican potatoes.
    I will also have my three margarita's or maybe 4 and call it a night and then register some bogus number on my food diary.
    I figure I'll make up for it sometime next week.
    Plus my Fitbit is telling me I have 1700 calories to eat yet today, all is well.:bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • Marcy31
    Marcy31 Posts: 53
    So I think Fajitas are your best bet Mexican food cooked at home can be super low calories but in restaurants you have no clue what they use so I feel like if you have that you will be OK stay away from rice because they first brown it in oil and they use a lot trust me I know also ask if their beans are home made or in a can because yup we use ton of oil to re-fried them. If you don't want to then just enjoy like most of them said you don't do it every day your OK :wink: sometimes I make my Mexican food and a huge dinner is llike 600 calories or 350 if you have normal size lol :drinker:
  • KatFierce
    KatFierce Posts: 252 Member
    I get fajitas or whatever taco type thing I want and ask for 1/2 the amount of shells they usually give, and a bowl of lettuce on the side. I put 1/2 my entree into a to-go box. I put 1/2 the fillings I want to eat into the lettuce and the other 1/2 in the shells. That way I get to have my fajita/taco/whatever and am reducing the carbs, adn excess cals. Also if you love sour cream ( like I do) mix 1 spoonfull sour cream with 2 spoons of salsa. Itll stretch the sourcream and youll barely notice a difference(works with guac too). My girls and I go out about twice a month for mexican and this always helps me but Im usually up for 2 days after due to salt and beer or ritas
  • tmos512
    tmos512 Posts: 119 Member
    I get fajitas or whatever taco type thing I want and ask for 1/2 the amount of shells they usually give, and a bowl of lettuce on the side. I put 1/2 my entree into a to-go box. I put 1/2 the fillings I want to eat into the lettuce and the other 1/2 in the shells. That way I get to have my fajita/taco/whatever and am reducing the carbs, adn excess cals. Also if you love sour cream ( like I do) mix 1 spoonfull sour cream with 2 spoons of salsa. Itll stretch the sourcream and youll barely notice a difference(works with guac too). My girls and I go out about twice a month for mexican and this always helps me but Im usually up for 2 days after due to salt and beer or ritas

    ^^^^^^^^^
    SMART!

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